Monthly Archives: May 2014

Fujio Koyama: Sake cup, 'flower'

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Fujio Koyama 小山 冨士夫

1900 Born in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture.
1920 Entered Hitotsubashi University.
1925 Moved to Seto. Started learning ceramics.
1927 Aspired to be a ceramic artist.
1932 Became an editorial staff for a journal of antique porcelain.
1933 Became an investigator of important art pieces, commissioned by the ministry of education. 
1946 Japanese ceramic society was established. Became a director.
1952 Worked for a section of intangible culture in a committee of cultural protection.
1961 Resigned from his position.
1966 Built his kiln in Kamakura, restarted producing ceramics.
1967 Became a director of Japan Art Crafts association.
1973 Moved to Toki, Gifu prefecture. Built ‘Hananoki Kiln’.
1975 Passed away at the age of 75.

Munemaro Ishiguro: Sake cup, Shigaraki type

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Munemaro Ishiguro　石黒宗麿
1893 Born in Shinminato, Toyama prefecture.
1918 Impressed by the National treasure, Yohen Tenmoku tea bowl. 
         Aspired to be a ceramist.
1919 Began ceramics in Tokyo. Moved around Japan several times.
1927 Moved to Higashiyama Jagadani, Kyoto prefecture.
         Met Fujio Koyama, who would become a sworn friend afterwards.
1935 Built a studio in Yase Rakuhoku, Kyoto.
1937 Won a Silver prize at the Paris Universal Exposition.
1941 The first exhibition at Ginza Kuroda Touen.
1955 Designated as a Living National Treasure.
         Organized ‘Nihon Kogei Kai’ (the Japan Art Crafts Association) with 
         Toyozo Arakawa and Tokuro Kato.
1963 Received Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
1968 Passed away at the age of 75.

Yasokichi Tokuda I: Sake cup

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Yasokichi Tokuda I 　初代　徳田 八十吉

1837 Born in Komatsu, Ishikawa. 
         Aspired to be a painter while helping family business of　dyer.
1890 Became a painter of a kiln for Kutani ware.
1922 Began inscribing ‘Yasokichi’ on works.
1953 Designated a Living National Treasure.
1956 Passed away at the age of 82.

Tokuro Kato: Sake cup, Shigaraki type

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Tokuro Kato 加藤　唐九郎

 1898 Born in Seto, Aichi prefecture.
1914 Began involving with ceramic industry.
1933 Published an essay, ‘Kiseto’.
1934 Published ‘Ceramics dictionary’
1935 Moved to Nagoya, Aichi.
1950 Solo exhibition ‘Seto-guro tea bowls’ at Ginza Kuroda Touen.
1954 Joined Tori-kai.
1955 Organized Nihon Kogei Kai’ (the Japan Art Crafts Association.) with Toyozo Arakawa and Munemaro Ishiguro.
1960 ‘Einin no tsubo’ scandal
1964 Solo exhibition – Commemoration of Tokyo Olympics-
1972 Published ‘Genshoku ceramic dictionary’.
1982 The last solo exhibition ‘The world of Tokuro Kato’.
1985 Passed away at the age of 87.

Rosanjin Kitaoji: Sake cup, Silver color on Bizen

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Rosanjin Kitaoji　北大路 魯山人

1883 Born in Shimogamo Kitaoji, Kyoto.

1907 Began his career as a calligrapher in Tokyo.

1916 Wandered around Korea, China, Shiga, Fukui, and Kanazawa. Returned to Kyoto.

1919 Opened his antique shop in Tokyo.

1921 Began 'Bishoku club' (Gourmet's club) which serves his food with his collections.

1925 Began 'Hoshigaoka Saryo'. (Members-only restaurant)

1928 Built 'Hoshigaoka kiln' in Kamakura for producing dishes used in the restaurant.
His 　　  reputation rose as his works exhibited in department stores and the restaurant.

1935 Started focusing on producing ceramics.

1936 Left the management of the restaurant. 

1937 The first exhibition of his new works held at Ginza Kuroda Touen.

1939 The Hoshigaoka kiln was blisk holding about 50 staff around this year. 

1942 Evacuation in Ishikawa prefecture. Produced lacquer ware there.

1954 Held a solo exhibition in New York, invited by Rockefeller Foundation.

         Visited U.S. and Europe. 

1955 Declined certification of a living national treasure.

1956 Actively held exhibitions in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagoya.

1959 Passed away at the age of 77.

Mineo Okabe: Sake cup, Oribe type

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Mineo Okabe　　岡部 嶺男

1919 Born in Seto, Aichi prefecture.
1937 Graduated from Seto Ceramic High School.
1938 Entered into Tokyo University of Science. 
1940 Dropped out from the university. Entered into the army of inner Mongolia. 
1947 Demobilization from the army. Settled in Hiradobashi, Aichi. (current Toyota city)
1949 Independently began ceramics in Hiradobashi. Married to Tatsuko.
1955 Received the award of the Japanese Ceramics Society at the first time.
1963 Started focusing on researching celadon. Moved to Nisshin, Aichi.
1965 Succeeded in producing ‘Funseiji’ (粉青瓷) Powdery Celadon.　Received a Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
1969 Dedication of a set of Celadon vases to Umenoma room of Imperial Household Agency.
1970 Succeeded in producing Yohen Beishokuji. (窯変米色瓷)
1978 Hospitalization by cerebral hemorrhage. Changed his sir name from Kato to Okabe.
1989 Exhibition of new works from recovery at Matsuzakaya department store in Nagoya.
1990 Passed away at the age of 70. 
2011 Retrospective exhibition [Destiny] at Ginza Kuroda Touen.